Barzal scores in overtime to lead Islanders over DevilsA

NEWARK, N.J. >> After giving up 16 goals in the last three games, New York Islanders coach Barry Trotz saw a lot of more things he liked against the New Jersey Devils.

The Islanders competed, they didn’t have any letdowns after giving up goals and the coach got to see Mathew Barzal get a step ahead of the Devils’ defense in overtime.

Barzal scored on a his own rebound after being stopped on a breakaway at 3:40 of overtime and the Islanders beat the Devils 4-3 on Friday after giving up a late goal that allowed New Jersey to force the 3-on-3 overtime.

“There was more skin in the battle than we’ve had in the last couple games so I’ll take our game,” Trotz said. “New Jersey has been a very good team at home; they’ve been dynamite at home. I liked a lot of our game.”

The downer was seeing Marcus Johansson of the Devils batting his own rebound past Thomas Greiss (39 saves) with 11 seconds left in regulation.

While both teams had chances in the overtime, Barzal was the difference in sliding one past Keith Kinkaid, who had 31 saves.

“Would have been nice if we didn’t give them that point but we’ll take the extra one and move on from there,” Barzal said after scoring only his third goal.

Trotz was coy when asked about watching fleetfooted Barzal in overtime.

“It depends; with or without the puck,” the coach said. “With the puck when he has a step on a guy, you get pretty excited.”

Jordan Eberle, Anders Lee and Nick Leddy also scored to help the Islanders snap a two-game losing streak and beat the Devils for the second time this season.